Salero Kito Padang Restaurant

LOCATION
Just off the Princess Highway (Dandenong Road), opposite Monash University (Caulfield Campus).

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Tucked away just off Dandenong Road, this simple restaurant caters primarily to Indonesian students from the nearby university, but also has plenty to offer those looking for an authentic taste of Padang cooking. There is no set menu as such at Salero Kito. Rather, in traditional Padang style, choose from the range of curries, stir fries and other traditional dishes on offer at the counter. With simple yet clean décor, the regulars come for the spicy and contemporary dishes the restaurant is known for.

This West Sumatran cuisine is best known for its beef satay, spicy green sambal ijo and ayam goreng (fried chicken), but also uses more unusual ingredients such as offal in many of its dishes. The options changes daily, and at any time might include spicy sour fish, ox brain curry, and chilli fried prawns. The crispy fried ox lung and fish head curry might be acquired tastes for some but are certainly an authentic experience. For a sweet finish to the meal try the sugar syrup based dessert, topped with seasonal fresh fruit. All food served is halal and you just have to love a restaurant that offers fried ox lung to take away!

Angela Costanzo